'Othello' worth night in the park

Updated 8:02 am, Friday, June 1, 2012

Photo: Billy Calzada, San Antonio Express-News

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Othello, left, played by James "Apollo" Bradley, and Desdemona, played by Kat Connor, speak with Iago, played by Dylan Collins, during the Magik Theatre production of "Othello," part of the Shakespeare in the Park series, at the San Antonio Botanical Gardens, on Wednesday, May 30, 2012. less

Othello, left, played by James "Apollo" Bradley, and Desdemona, played by Kat Connor, speak with Iago, played by Dylan Collins, during the Magik Theatre production of "Othello," part of the Shakespeare in the ... more

Photo: Billy Calzada, San Antonio Express-News

'Othello' worth night in the park

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It takes a while for “Othello,” this year's Shakespeare in the Park production, to get cooking.

At the opening performance Wednesday, the early scenes were a bit uneven. James “Apollo” Bradley, who plays the title role, seemed to still be settling into the role and not quite at the top of his game. He was far stronger in the scenes dealing with Othello's military career — his jubilation in victory, for example — than in those with his bride Desdemona (Kat Connor). By the end of the first act, though, Bradley seemed to be on surer footing, and the show began to catch fire, setting up a much stronger second act.

Shakespeare's tragedy, directed by Richard Rosen, tells how Othello, an honorable man, is manipulated by his trusted adviser Iago (Dylan Collins) into believing that his wife has cheated on him with another soldier (a well-calibrated turn from Devin Collins), and that the only remedy for that betrayal is her death.

Collins was solid throughout the evening. There was a snarling quality to his lines early on, as he mapped out his issues with Othello and laid the groundwork for his revenge; he dropped that tone, as needed, depending on who he was talking to and what he wanted to get from them.

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In one of the play's key scenes, in which Iago builds his case for Desdemona's betrayal — an indiscretion she was not guilty of — his voice became quieter, and he sounded utterly reasonable as he suggested that Othello simply take notice of certain indications that she had cheated on him. Bradley is chilling in that scene, as well — it's clear that Iago has tapped into something violent deep inside him, and Bradley handles that transition from noble soul to a man consumed with rage well.

One of the best performances came from Mellissa Marlowe as Emilia, Iago's wife and another unwitting pawn in his deception. Marlowe has focused a lot of her energies on directing of late — she's directed most of the Shakespeare in the park outings — so it's a real treat to see her in the spotlight. The scene in which she discovers Desdemona's body and then learns of her own role in Iago's scheming is gut-wrenching. She also brings a welcome light touch to her earlier scenes; the bits of girl talk she indulges in with Desdemona are tart and sometimes funny, and nicely done by both actresses.

The sword fights, designed by New York-based fight choreographer Ron Piretti, were well-staged, as was Desdemona's murder, which doesn't stint on the violence.

The action plays out on a striking set — tattered sail-like tapestries form the backdrop, and wooden platforms allow the action to move on multiple levels — which is the typically strong handiwork of Dave Morgan. Mother Nature helped out a bit with the visuals, too — as the intensity increased, the wind whipped up a bit and lightning was visible in the distance, adding another element to the unease of the play.

One more thing, because it evidently needs to be said: The informality of the setting doesn't mean that the rules of etiquette are suspended. So if you can't sit quietly and let Othello kill his wife in peace, then perhaps you should take your conversation to another part of the garden or to the parking lot so that you don't disturb your fellow audience members.

“Othello” can be seen at 8 p.m. today-Saturday at the San Antonio Botanical Garden, 555 Funston. Admission is free; donations are accepted. Bring chairs or blankets to sit on. No outside food or drinks are permitted; concessions are for sale inside the garden. For more information, call 210-227-2751 or visit